I sat at the kitchen counter and watched the whole thing unfold. I nervously held my breath as he first tried the garbage disposal, then attempted to plunge the backed-up kitchen sink, to no avail. The 10 liter fermentation crock sat empty on the counter in plain view, exposing my secret. He was too distracted to put …
Category: Laughter is the Best Medicine
A Home Bar With a Conscience
When my husband and I constructed a home bar in our finished basement, we thought we were creating a place of occasional relaxation and adult escape. We didn't realize that we were installing a conscience as well. Workout completed, dinner finished, lunches packed, basketball practice done, homework complied with, nighttime stories read, the kids tucked into bed, kitchen …
The Valentine’s Day Roller Coaster
I hope everyone had a splendid Valentine's Day with their sweetie. Or themselves, if you are lacking in the "sweetie" department. Whatever. V-Day in the Hoover Household was business as usual for the most part, however, my day could be described as nothing short of a roller coaster ride! The Loop-the-loops and Peaks: In (my) big news.... The Stealing Drawer was republished on Sammiches and …
Let It Breathe…
Perusing the local Flea Market a couple of weekends ago, I came across an unusual wine decanter. Excited by my find, I exclaimed boisterously to the salesclerk at check out, "I can't wait to get this home and try it out!" He gave me a peculiar sort of look, his lips curled up in a sneer. …
I Don’t Like The Sloth
We haven't encountered a 'Jameson-ism' in quite some time. For those who aren't familiar with the term, my 10-year old son has a way with committing the most hilarious word faux pas. It's been a while, but the boy produced a doozy tonight! I served fish tacos for dinner this evening: spinach tortillas stuffed with blackened tilapia, cilantro …
A Hearing Aid at 28
My family sat down to dinner tonight to enjoy hot-off-the-grill New York Strip steaks, onion potatoes, a giant green salad, and some piping hot garlic toast. Music was playing in the background, the wine was poured (for the adults), and Marty, James, Kenz and I finally clinked our glasses together in a 'cheers', celebrating the end of a …
Wrinkles
I have been feeling pretty darn good about myself lately. A friend and I had recently attended an Embrace premier: a documentary about women and their struggle with body image placed on them by media and obscure societal views. The message delivered was immense: transform your mindset from trying to achieve the 'perfect body' to embracing the one …
Agent 00 Mom
Commitment. Perseverance. Hard work. Always test your perceived boundaries. Give it your all. Practice makes perfect. Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. Nothing in life will come easy; you have to work for what you want. These are all statements that my children have heard me say about a million times. I strive to be a …
Do/Don’t Do Instructions to the Kids
Last April, my husband and I took a way overdue 'Adult Mini-Vaca' to the Dominican Republic with several other couples. Our 18 year old daughter offered to stay with the 9 and 4 year olds during our 5-day trip. Even though my oldest sometimes lacks in the common sense department, by this time Alaina had been living in her …
Green Hotdogs and “Poop”
My father has a weak stomach. Several years ago, I was cleaning out his refrigerator on one of my visits and found a package of hotdogs that had been there a while. Dad, hesitant to get too close, but supervising my "toss or no-toss" operation, stops me mid throw - "Don't throw those away!! I …
viCARIously Speaking 